STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10331, 12 June 1895, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT, f

June 11. — It is a trifle unfortunate for the dairy interests of the district that there should be two freezing works projects on hand at the same time. United, the industry is strong enough to secure the regular calls at a Taranaki port of th» Home steamers, and consequent saving of freight. Divided, it will probably continue to swell the volume of Wellington's shipping trade. So far I think everyone, bo he, Waitaraito or New Plymouthite, will agree with me. But then comes the question — which is it to be ? We could be happy with either, were tho other dear charmer away. I have before expressed my opinion, and see no reason to alter it, that the factories throughout the .district should join forces with the Crown Dairy i Company and the New Plymouth interest. They represent fully two-thirds of the output of Tarauaki, and without them no combination can succeed.

The churches are doing well. Tho Primitive Methodists held their annual gathering the other night, and congratulations were the order of the evening. The Catholics hare lately shown themselves well able to afford the luxury of the finest church building in the district. _ Tha Presbyterians are enlarging their more modest tabernacle. The Ainglieans, hold their annual social on Thursday, and I am informed, on the highest authority, _ that, in addition to tea and talk, there trill bo diversion of all sorts, not excluding tke light fantastic. £0 much for the churches. Now for pubs. The prosperity or otherwise of the two interest* — beer and bible — are no bad criterion of the business vitality ofca place. Two years ago many of us (my«elf among the numher, if I recollect rightly) wore of opinion that to have five hotels in Stratford was piling it up too mountainous altogether, and that one of them must shortly go to the wall. Yet here we have for the third time each of the five licensees anxious to contribute his £40 to the Town Board's coffers. It may be an evidence of excessive thirst in Stratford, but he would be a bold prohibitionist who would say there is more drunkenness with our five hotels than there used to ba with one.